DM's and their Paladins

[The_Gunslinger658]

Hi ya-

Too the DM's out there, how do you each of you handle how players play the Paladins?

In my campaign, if a player wants to play a Paladin, I let them know up front that first only Humans can be a Paladin (my house rule) and a good example of how a Paladin should be played at least to me, is like Dirty Harry or Judge Dredd.


Scott

 

[Crothian]

I talk with the player and we put in some definition, no different then I would with any character that had a personal code of conduct. We figure what god if any they want to serve, like I do with anyone playing a cleric or druid.

 

[WalkingDead]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but in terms of how they actually roleplay the paladin, they have a strict code of conduct to adhere to. I try to make sure the player understands that before going into it, but most of my players have been playing for many years and understand that the Lawful Good alignment can be a difficult one to follow.

I have a paladin my campaign right now that has played the character up to 5th level. He's generally a kick-in-the-door-and-take-no-prisoners type of player, and he's had to really adjust to being a goody-goody. He's considered retiring the character and starting anew, but then he thinks about the time he's invested and the fact that he does like the way he's built the character up. He's stuck with it so far, even during the occasional breach of alignment that costs him some karma with his god.

 

[Saeviomagy]

...a good example of how a Paladin should be played at least to me, is like Dirty Harry or Judge Dredd...

Really? Dirty harry looks to be seriously chaotic good - it's not that often that he pays a lot of attention to the law.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Really? Dirty harry looks to be seriously chaotic good - it's not that often that he pays a lot of attention to the law.

No no no, they are both LH.

Lawful-Harry and Lawful-Hardcore!

 

[The_Gunslinger658]

No, Dirty Harry is Lawful good, he see's the law a little differently when it comes to criminal's but he still stays within the law if not pushing the bounds a bit.

Scott

Really? Dirty harry looks to be seriously chaotic good - it's not that often that he pays a lot of attention to the law.

 

[DragonLancer]

Paladins should have a tough time of it for IC reasons. The path of the holy warrior is not an easy one. After poor RP performence by one player in my last campaign, I have written a paladinic code that I think would give a good path to follow but still leave leeway to play the character.

-

 

[Grayhawk]

Playing a Paladin as Dirty Harry or Judge Dredd?!?

What about the Good part of Lawful Good?

Granted, Judge Dredd is Lawful, but good?

And Harry C would certainly do things a Paladin shouldn't, like shooting a robber in the back as he runs away.

I think you should set higher standards for a Paladin, but of course YMMV.

 

[shilsen]

IMC, I'll talk to and work with the player to create a code for the paladin which fits the deity chosen and the individual character. I'll also discuss cartain situations with the player and make sure that we are on at least approxmately the same page as far as expectations for the paladin are concerned.

 

[Chimera]

Guess I haven't had a Paladin in one of my campaigns in a while, though I've been a player in the same party as them.

I don't have any real problem coming up with a code of conduct and being flexible with it enough to allow the player a lot of latitude.

OTOH, for my next campaign, I will be requiring it to be a GROUP decision to allow someone to play a Paladin. Because every time I've had one in my game or been in the same group with one, they've come to dominate the group's behavior and goals. Everything gets warped around the Paladin.